The Best Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary In 7 Days

The soaring spires of rock, alpine meadows and turquoise lakes of the Dolomites are simply stunning. Here’s how to capture the highlights of this remarkable landscape on a 1-week road trip itinerary.

There are few experiences more enjoyable than a Dolomites road trip itinerary.

Soaring spires of rock rise above swaying alpine meadows hiding picture-perfect turquoise lakes. Scenic churches nestle in idyllic fields and mountain top rifugios provide sweeping views of dramatic landscapes. World-class wineries serve up Italian classics with German influences where service is swift and the portions hearty.

But the true magnetism of this UNESCO world heritage site is the hiking and outdoor opportunities. Take a manageable meander around an idyllic lake or clamber a rocky outcrop to a mountain-top lagoon. Walk through forested paths or cycle on the highest alpine meadow in the world. 

Our 1-week Dolomites road trip captures the highlights of the area. We spend 4 days hiking so you can rest in-between, visit a winery, take a scenic drive or simply put your feet up. You’ll need your own car, a pair of decent hiking boots, a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world.  

We don’t cover all our favourite hikes in the Dolomites. However, this is an excellent week in the mountains that allows time for some relaxation, plenty of scenic beers and a host of other activities.

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RIFUGIO LAGAZUOI

Back in the car, take the 33 hairpins that descend down into the valley that sits beneath Marmolada and its glacier. The road follows the valley through Arabba and Andraz before heading north to Passo Falzarego. Take the cable car to the 2,835m high Rifugio Lagazuoi. The views are excellent, and you can also explore the trenches and tunnels from the First World War.

Returning to the car head east to finish your drive in Cortina dʼAmpezzo.

WHERE TO STAY IN CORTINA DʼAMPEZZO

For simple furnishes and great views of the mountains, Hotel Al Larin is a great budget choice. Just a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, Hotel Villa Gaia has a traditional alpine feel. At the top-end Cristallo Resort & Spa has all the luxury you’d expect from a 5-star resort.

READ NEXT / OUR HIGHLIGHTS IN THE ITALIAN ALPS

DAY 2 – CIRCUMNAVIGATING ICONIC TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO

Stay – Cortina | Travel – 1 hour 40 minutes from Cortina to Rifugio Auronzo and back

Tre Cime di Lavaredo are three soaring pinnacles of rock that have become one of the most iconic images of the Dolomites. The most famous view is just north of Drezinnenhütte: a magnificent rifugio tucked into the rock and scree. The only way to get the view is to walk, and it’s one of the best in the Dolomites.

To start the hike, drive from Cortina to the trailhead at Rifugio Auronzo (45 minutes). On the way, stop at Lago Misurina and Lago Antorno. Both are beautiful lakes with views up to Tre Cime & Cadini massifs.

The trail is just over 10 kilometres with 400 metres of ascent and descent and takes just under 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can find all the details and more information on our guide to hiking Tre Cime.

After the hike, return to Cortina via Lago di Landro for some late afternoon views back to Tre Cime from the Zinnenblick car park.

READ NEXT / HIKING TRE CIME

VAL DI FUNES

Next, drive to Val di Funes. The churches of San Giovanni and Santa Maddalena backed by the jagged peaks of the Puez-Odle massif are a photographer’s dream. Take some time to amble along the Panoramaweg and Sunnenseitenweg paths that meander through the meadows. It’s a beautiful spot to stroll in the fading light. We cover more great things to do in the area on our guide to Val di Funes.

Spend the night at San Pietro in Val di Funes.

WHERE TO STAY IN VAL DI FUNES

There are several towns dotted about Val di Funes, however San Pietro is the largest with the most facilities. It’s also a lovely spot with great views. Fallerhof is an unlikely budget option in such a popular destination, while the balconies at Haus Puez has the prime views. Proihof is another great choice set among the rolling fields of the valley.

READ NEXT / BEST THINGS TO DO IN VAL DI FUNES

DAY 4 – STUNNING SCENERY ON SECEDA AND ALPE DI SIUSI

Stay – Ortisei | Travel – 40 minutes from Val di Funes to Ortiseis

The Puez-Odle massif that forms the magnificent backdrop to Val di Funes doesn’t just look good from afar. Up close those spiky peaks appear like the teeth of a mangled saw. And there is no better place to see this dramatic mountain scenery than from the top of the Seceda cable car.

SECEDA RIDGELINE

Drive to Ortisei from Val di Funes (40 minutes) and take the cable car to the Seceda ridgeline. After a short walk, the reward is a magnificent array of vertiginous alpine peaks. Explore the ridge, grab a coffee at one of the rifugios and then take the car back down.

ALPE DI SIUSI / SEISER ALM

Next, head up to Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) – the 2,000-metre high alpine meadow. Many head up here to hike, but the rolling meadows are vast so it’s better to hire a bike to see all the highlights. The Bamby Bike Rental at the bottom of the lift in Ortisei rents a range of bikes (including e-bikes) for a full or half-day.

Take the bike up on the cable car and enjoy the magnificent meadow views. Make sure to stop at Saltria; the views across the meadows and up to Sassolungo are remarkable. Take the path that twists through the valleys back to Ortisei. It takes just over an hour.  

WHERE TO STAY IN ORTISEI

Residence Larciunei is a family run chalet smack in the centre of Ortisei with fully equipped kitchenettes. Hotel Luna Mondschein is an elegant establishment in the centre of town with all the facilities you could ask for. Ortisei is one of the most popular towns in the Dolomites, but 10 minutes away, Selva di Val Gardena is a quieter picturesque town. Mountain Chalet Pra Ronch is a good choice.

READ NEXT / VISIT LAKE COMO VIA BOAT

DAY 6 – SAVOURING TRENTO AND ITS VINE COVERED VALLEY 

Stay – Trento | Travel – 2 hours, 15 minutes from Ortisei to Trento using the SS12

Trento is a beautiful town in a beautiful valley and a great place to wind down for a day. Hop in the car and take the scenic SP64 and LS24 through Suisi and Presule towards Bolzano before entering the Trentino valley.

The old main road (SS12) winds around the valley and through picturesque villages. Potter round the beautiful pastel-coloured buildings, little gardens and churchyards. When it’s time for lunch head to Alois Lageder, a family vineyard run on biodynamic principles.

In the afternoon head to Trento and explore this attractive old town centre. The highlight is the Piazza Duomo backed by the Cattedrale di San Viglio. But the real joy is just strolling the laneways, staring at the architecture and stopping at the bars and cafes perched on pavements or hidden in backstreets.

MORE ITALY / OUR GUIDE TO BOLOGNA

RIFUGIO TUCKETT & BRENTEI

From Rifugio Tuckett, there are two options to make your way back down. Firstly, you could take path 317 to Rifugio Casinei then on to Rifugio Vallisnella and catch the bus to Madonna di Campiglio. This is a 3-hour walk.

The second option is to take path 328 and follow the contour around the massif, joining path 318 which travels deep into an amphitheatre of towering peaks. Right in the centre of this wonderland of rock sits Rifugio Brentei – an excellent place to stop. From here take the steep descent via Rifugio Casinei to Rifugio Vallisnella. This option is a 5-hour walk.

The bus from Rifugio Vallisnella to Madonna di Campiglio runs every 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re up for it, you can just keep walking into Madonna di Campiglio which is an additional 4.5 kilometres.

Spend the night at Madonna di Campiglio.

WHERE TO STAY IN MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO

For a well-equipped cost-effective choice, Hotel Alpina is in an excellent location close to the cable car station. In the mid-market space, Bio Hotel Hermitage has excellent facilities with spectacular views. The DV Chalet Boutique Hotel & Spa is an upmarket option with 20 rooms and very helpful staff.

READ MORE / OUR FAVOURITE HIKES IN THE DOLOMITES

HOW TO GET TO THE DOLOMITES

The Dolomites is a large mountain range in northeastern Italy. As a popular location for both skiing and summer hiking, there are plenty of good options for getting to the Dolomites. 

BY AIR

The Dolomites is serviced by several international airports. For this road trip itinerary, Verona is the most convenient as it’s easy to get to Cortina and Madonna where we start and finish. Alternately, you could also arrive at Venice to the south and Innsbruck to the north. However, to save on accommodation costs, you may want to arrive early in the morning. So, it’s best to check the prices and arrival times from your home airport.  

BY TRAIN

Unless you are already in Italy, getting to the Dolomites via train is unlikely to be a good option. The major train stations are no closer than the airports. Additionally, as this is a road trip itinerary, a car is required which is generally easier to organise from an airport.

However, if you are arriving from Italy the nearest train stations to Cortina are Calalzo di Cadore, 35 kilometres to the south, or Dobbiacco, 32 kilometres to the north.

DRIVING IN THE DOLOMITES

For our one-week Dolomites road trip itinerary, you will need to hire a car. This is a road trip to remember. Driving through the remarkable mountain scenery with breath-taking views surrounding you is a fantastic experience.

Here are some tips to help prepare for your Dolomites road trip.   

HIRING A CAR IN THE DOLOMITES

Firstly, all roads in the Dolomites are paved. Therefore, regardless of what you might hear online, a 4×4 is in not required to drive in the Dolomites. You might enjoy being slightly higher off the ground, but that’s all you’ll need a 4×4 for.

All airports have a good selection of rental car offerings. Be aware that if you hire a car in Innsbruck you will need to cross the Austria – Italy border. Most car hire companies allow this with no extra fee. However, if you breakdown or have an accident, you will need to liaise between the Austrian office and the Italian roadside services.

We use Auto Europe as our hire car provider, for US customers click here to book, UK and Europe customers click here.

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT

For British licence holders with a plastic card and photo, an International Driving Permit is not required to drive in Italy, even with Brexit. However, if you have a paper licence only, then a 1968 International Driving Permit is required. Travellers from other countries should check with their local governments. 

An International Driving Permit is validation that you have a licence to drive and does not replace your actual license so make sure you bring both. As they are relatively cheap, it could be viewed as cost-effective insurance.

AUTOSTRADE

Some of the major roads in the Dolomites operate on a toll system called the Autostrade. When you pull up to the toll gates, you’ll receive a paper ticket to keep with you until you arrive at the next toll gate. When you hand over your ticket, the attendant will calculate the charge for you.

Prices for the Autostrade are based on distance. For a journey from Innsbruck to Cortina (180 kilometres), the fee was €7.50.   

DRIVING TIPS

The roads in the Dolomites are twisty, scenic and a joy to drive. It’s pretty straightforward driving, but it can be busy. There are sometimes queues on mountain roads with tourist coaches winding around the hairpins and you are often sharing the road with motorbikes.

The distances may appear short but driving in the Dolomites can take a long time given the twisty roads, so allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

Road signs are in both Italian and German.

MAP – DOLOMITES ITINERARY

Maps.me can be very useful when hiking. It has a more extensive set of maps than Google and works offline for when you are deep in the valleys. For all the main sights on our Dolomites road trip, download our map.

BEST TIME FOR A DOLOMITES ROAD TRIP

The hiking season in the Dolomites is relatively short. Snow can hang around on higher ground well into summer, making some of the paths impassable. The cold weather and snow can return as early as October.

The cable cars close at the end of the ski season and while some of the larger ones reopen in late May, many others don’t return to service until mid-June. Most rifugios also shut after winter, with some not reopening until mid to late June.

Therefore, the best time to do this Dolomites road trip itinerary is from mid-June to late September. The first few weeks of July is ideal when flowers carpet the upper meadows, and the snow should have cleared from the higher trails.

If possible, try to avoid August when the school holidays bring large crowds.

MORE READING FOR YOUR DOLOMITES TRIP

The Dolomites is an are we love going back to. With exception hiking, dramatic scenery and a blend of Austrian and Italian culture it’s one of our favourite destinations in the Alps. Here’s some more reading to help plan your Dolomites road trip itinerary.

6 most exhilarating day hikes in the Dolomites

See the beauty of the Italian lakes on a Lake Como boat hire

Breath-taking Dolomites views hiking the Sassolungo–Langkofel circuit

How to hike to the turquoise waters of Lago di Sorapis

How to visit Lago di Braies – Italy’s alluring emerald-green lake

Complete guide to hiking Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop

How to visit beautiful Val di Funes (Villnöss)

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